What is Manga and Anime Culture and How Did It Emerge?

Comic book and animation lovers know, every country has its own comic structure and narrative style. Undoubtedly, the most unique manga and anime culture. The word culture may sound a bit pretentious, but it’s true. How manga and anime culture emerged Since the answer to the question takes us back a few centuries, it is possible to talk about a real culture here.

Alright, How did manga and anime culture come about? How come we come across these genres even on popular platforms like Netflix and major bookstores? The Second World War played a major role in the popularity of these works, which tell stories full of love and action through characters with big eyes and disproportionate limbs. Bride Let’s look at the answer to the question of how manga and anime came about. and let’s talk about the prominent features of this culture.

What is manga and anime?

Before going into the details of the emergence of manga and anime culture, it is useful to make a simple definition for people who have never heard or seen these works before. The word manga means comic book in Japanese. In other words, comics produced in Japan are called manga.

The word anime also means animation in Japanese. and pronounced ‘ani-may’. In other words, animations produced in Japan are called anime. Although the definition of anime emerged in the 1960s, the word manga dates back to the last half of the 1700s.

How did the manga come about?

Although it is not similar to the manga in the sense we know today, it is the first work called manga in Japanese history. It is a picture book named Shiji no yukikai dated 1798. Manga Hyakujo and Hokusai Manga, written by Aikawa Minwa and illustrated by Hokusai, published in 1814, we encounter the name of manga again.

The emergence of manga works as we know them today was between 1945-1952. It begins with the invasion of Japan by the United States. During this period, the Japanese are acquainted with the comics of the period such as Mickey Mouse, Betty Boop and Bambi brought to the island by the Americans.

The Japanese, who decided to reflect the intense feeling of the occupation into art, are taking the first steps of manga culture. During this period, manga series began to be published one after another. An illustrator who is respected by the whole world today. The Japanese Osamu Tezuka creates some of the most important works. In fact, Osamu Tezuka is the creator of the big eyes, which are the most defining feature of the characters in manga and anime culture.

How did the anime come about?

Since the production of anime requires a certain technological know-how, it is only possible for the war-weary Japanese to start making anime. It became possible in the 1960s. We can say that the anime adaptation of the famous manga series Astroboy, created by Osamu Tezuka, has also been broadcast in the United States, so that the anime culture has truly emerged.

Anime production peaks in the 1970s and 1980s. All anime produced because it is marketed abroad as well rapidly affecting the whole world. Robotech and Star Blazers animes have increased the interest in this culture, as they are unlike anything that has been told with cartoons before in terms of their subjects. Star Blazers is also the first anime to be dubbed into English.

How is the culture of manga and anime different from comics and animation?

Both cultural artifacts have their origins in hundreds of years of Japanese calligraphy and painting tradition. In the Japanese tradition of calligraphy and painting Round ink brushes were used to create thick lines. Even if they get help from technology, today’s manga and anime producers still continue to carry the lines of this tradition into their works.

In manga and anime works, there is an ‘eye-to-eye’ situation. Characters with big eyes and disproportionate limbs, for example when angry a huge vein and sweat drops appear on their foreheads. When one of these characters is sick, those big eyes take an X shape. Remember Pokemon. Such exaggerations are used to increase the comedy element.

Arguably the most unique aspect of manga and anime culture is their subject matter. Because it is a culture that emerged during the war period. it still bears the traces of that period and touches on subjects that cannot be explained easily. It has also combined this feature with the underground culture of manga and anime from time to time. Adult content, which is abundant in some manga and anime, also contributes to this merger.

Manga and anime culture today:

Today, manga and anime are Japan’s most important cultural imports. Manga series consisting of dozens of books and anime series consisting of tens of seasons have become works that appeal to billions of people all over the world. These works are said to be the most successful cultural move made by the Japanese.

So much so that since the 1990s in Asia, Europe and the United States Like Anime Expo, Otakon and JACON There are manga and anime themed conventions. Writers, illustrators, directors, voice actors attend these conventions and meet fans, many of whom are dressed in costumes of popular anime and manga characters. Although this costumed event, called cosplay, is held on different themes all over the world, the most popular sources are manga and anime works.

Some popular manga and anime:

• Squad;
  • Naruto / Volume 72 / 1999 – 2014
  • Bleach / 74 Volumes / 2001 – 2016
  • Death Note / Volume 12 / 2003 – 2006
  • Tokyo Ghoul / Volume 14 / 2011 – 2014
  • Fullmetal Alchemist / Volume 27 / 2001 – 2010
  • Deadman Wonderland / Volume 13 / 2007 – 2013
  • Soul Eater / Volume 25 / 2003 – 2013
  • Gantz / Volume 37 / 2000 – 2013
  • Bakuman / Volume 20 / 2008 – 2012
  • Koe no Katachi / Volume 7 / 2013 – 2014
• anime;
  • Death Note / 2006 / TV Series
  • Cowboy Bebop / 1998 / TV Series
  • Hunter x Hunter / 2011 / TV series
  • One Punch Man: Wanpanman / 2015 / Drama
  • Steins: Gate / 2011 / TV Series
  • Shingeki no kyojin / 2013 / Drama
  • Hajima no ippo / 2002 / TV series
  • Slam Dunk / 1993 / TV Series
  • Dragon Ball Z / 1996 / TV Series
  • One Piece / 1999 / TV Series

Coming out of Japan and creating a fan base of billions worldwide How did manga and anime culture come about? We answered the question and explained the important details you need to know about this important culture. You can share your favorite manga and anime in the comments.